Aloe petricola (Stone Aloe) - A stemless solitary or sparsely-clustering aloe that grows 18 to 24 inches tall by 2 to 3 feet wide with broad-based narrow-tipped long blue-gray leaves that curve up and then inwards, giving the plant a ball-like rounded form. The leaves have occasional very small teeth on the upper leaf surface with usually more on the lower and sharp brown teeth along the margins. In mid to late winter appear the distinctly bicolored flowers, which are reddish orange in bud, opening to cream to pale yellow with faint green striped petals and dark brownish anthers, all densely stacked on the stems and opening from bottom to the top. On younger plants the flowers are on a tall simple unbranched inflorescence but are typically on multiple-branched inflorescences on older plants. Plant in full to part sun in a well-drained soil and water occasionally to infrequently - quite drought tolerant. Hardy to at least 25 °F. This plant has a fairly restricted distribution between 1,600 to 3,300 feet elevation where it is found in large colonies on rocky slopes and outcrops near Nelspruit in Mpumalanga (previously Eastern Transvaal) in South Africa. The plant was first described in 1917 by South African botanist Dr Illtyd B. Pole-Evans (1877–1968). The specific epithet comes from the Latin words 'petra' meaning "rock" and 'cola' meaning "inhabiting" in reference to this plant inhabiting rocky places. Our plants from Jim Rose of Cal-Orchid, who grew it from seed obtained in South Africa.
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We will also incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information about this plant, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Aloe petricola.